We have a Kenmore dryer , model # 110.96590820. We've never had a problem with it, until last night. I went to dry a load of clothes, and it wouldn't turn on. Checked the fuse box, saw the fuse was blown. There was also scorching by the outlet, so I unplugged it and called a friend. He came over and pulled the outlet. He said there was something that looked like soap on the outlet, and that was why the outlet blew. He replaced it with a new outlet, cleaned everything up and tested it. Everything worked fine. I then dried my clothes, and it worked perfectly.

Now, less than 24 hours later, I went up to do a load of laundry. I smelled the scorchy smell and there was a bigger mark on the wall, so I tried to turn on the dryer. Wouldn't work. Went to the fuse box, fuse was again thrown. Went back up and unplugged the dryer, and there's a whole bunch of gunky stuff on the plug. There's also a small line of something that looks like soap coming out of the outlet, but here's the thing - I haven't done any laundry or used any soap since last night. The walls are dry and no soap or liquids are stored above the dryer. My friend also looked inside the outlet while he had it open last night, and there was nothing inside to indicate that there was a leak from inside the wall. Any suggestions? Please?

It's dry and crusty to the touch, almost crystallike. It's light green. It's run down the wall from the bottom prong of the outlet, and there's a lot of it on the part you plug into the wall (sorry the word is escaping me at the moment). From the marks on the wall, I'd say it was liquid, but has dried. If this doesn't help, I'll post the pics on Monday.

I just went up and re-checked the walls and ceilings on both sides of the wall around where the dryer sits. No water spots or discolorations. We had some issues with water about two years ago in a nearby room, but on the far side of it away from where the dryer is.

I suspect you have another leak in the roof, possibly at an eave. You didn't answer my previous question about whether the dryer outlet is on an outside wall, but I'm guessing it is. Am I right or am I right?

No, I answered, unless I don't understand what an outside wall is. The dryer area is in the dead middle of the house. It's in the stairwell area on the second floor, with rooms on every side of it. It's at least 14 ft. away from any outside wall of the house.

Ok, missed that one; so it's not leaking eaves. But since your roof has been impacted by a tornado, it wouldn't surprise me if it had developed another leak roughly over the location of your dryer outlet.

Or, the roof could be fine; might be a leaking pipe.

Bottom line: You got water where it ain't supposed to be and it's coming from somewhere! Your dryer outllet problems are just an early warning sign that there's big trouble in little China.

Won't know who to call until we know the origin of the leak. You (or someone) will need to cut some exploratory holes in the sheet rock and use illuminated periscopes to try and discern the point of origin. Maybe a home inspector dude? Maybe a carpenter?

I told you it was bizarre. Almost reminded me of the ecto stuff from Ghostbusters. That's why I think it's possessed...

Also, and this was very strange, can't remember if I've said this or not. The first time it blew, the stuff was sticky and wet to the touch which is why my electrician friend thought that soap had gotten on it. The second time - dry as can be.